Insight Inspections, LLC

We started our week with this new build inspection in City of Bel Aire with Brendan Oleson Real Estate. Even new construction should be inspected.

Feels like summer at this morning's inspection with Brendan Oleson Real Estate.

This morning's inspection in west Wichita with Ronda Welsh, Realtor.

Do you appreciate the 70s style? Or would you gut and remodel?

🕯 The lights are flickering here in west Wichita. 😳

If you're without power this morning, here are some tips. Even if you still have power, do these anyway in case you lose power.

- Block drafts. Where we can, we have this "breeze blocker" at the bottom of doors that you can get on Amazon. Clearly that won't help at the moment so you can substitute rolled up towels or blankets. This works well for doors and windows in addition to keeping curtains closed.

- Unplug appliances. You don't want to fry your items in case of an electrical surge when the power comes back on.

- Close doors to unused rooms. Don't lose limited warm air to areas no one is using. With that, try to stay in one to a few rooms together.

- Open cabinet doors. If you're worried about freezing pipes, open the cabinet doors under your sinks to let air flow around the pipes. Dripping water also works.

Justin Westhoff
Wichita Home Inspector
316.570.0549

Today's inspection in east Wichita with Amelia Sumerell, Realtor Coldwell Banker Plaza Real Estate's The A-Team.

Want to check out this home in person? Contact Nikki Good-REALTOR w/Good ICT Homes by JPAR Leading Edge.

The importance of permitted home construction jobs

When it comes to building a new home or making improvements to an existing home, some work requires permits be pulled through the county's building department. Projects like a new roof, major electrical work (not replacing an outlet), etc.

The purpose of these permits are for the county's inspectors to verify the work is being done correctly. For example, a roofer should pull a permit with the county. Not all do. Or, this picture is an example of my backyard. The contractor has pulled permits for the major milestones to be checked along the way.

How can you check permits?
The Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department with Sedgwick County can help. Call them or visit their website.

Keep in mind, not all permits go through Sedgwick County. Park City, for example, handles permits through their city office. And some smaller towns don't have a permitting process.

When you reluctantly change your clocks back one hour tonight, plan on tackling this list of home tasks on Sunday with your extra hour of sleep.

- Replace filters: In addition to furnace filters, this includes refrigerator water filters and the HEPA filter in your vacuum.

- Clean the refrigerator's coils: Increase the efficiency of your appliance that works around the clock.

- Inventory the emergency kit: Check for expired or depleted items that need restocked.

- Clean the oven: You'll likely use this appliance a lot during the next two months. Start with a clean slate.

- Vacuum the dryer vent and ducts: I routinely find dryer vents full of lint during inspections, creating a fire hazard. Help stay safe by cleaning out lint buildup. Use your vacuum or you can buy a kit from Amazon.

- Clean the medicine cabinet: Safely dispose of expired medications.

- Wash pillows: Most can go in the washer so read the tag.

- Flip the mattress: Or rotate it if you have a pillowtop.

- Change smoke detector batteries: The risk of dying in a fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

I typically don't take my tool bag into the attic but this time I felt I had to.

We're spending the afternoon in the one-and-only College Hill with Amelia Sumerell, Realtor Coldwell Banker Plaza Real Estate's The A-Team.

Do you prefer old College Hill charm or modern updates?

This is my old neighborhood! I used to have a house on Elder.